Gutter deflector shield

ABSTRACT

A deflector shield apparatus for rain gutters to prevent leaf and similar debris from entering the trough portion of the gutter. The deflector shield apparatus includes means for mounting the deflector to the gutter and associated building structure to provide improved function of the gutter system and easy installation. The deflector shield comprises a rigid sheet material having a rear portion adapted to be mounted under the outermost row of roof shingles, a central portion extending outward over the gutter, and a forward portion provided with a downturned curve forming a nose disposed over the front lip of the gutter and a reverse curved terminal and extending rearwardly over the trough portion of the gutter. Included in the apparatus is a modified gutter support strap having opposing ends in engagement with the front and rear wall of the gutter and means to connect the rear wall of the gutter to the associated building wall. The support strap also includes a vertically extending flange configured to cooperate with a downwardly extending flange formed on the terminal end of the reversed curved portion of the forward portion of the deflector shield to fix the gutter shield in position yet from a continuous, open space between the forward nose of the deflector and the front lip of the gutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to rain gutters and shield apparatus to permitwater to flow into the gutter while deflecting debris from entering thegutter.

2. Description of the Related Art

The collection of leaves and other similar debris in rain gutters is anold and well-recognized problem which causes downspouts to clog. Thisinterferes with the intended performance of the rain gutter. Themaintenance required from time to time to clean debris from gutters isconsiderable and is highly undesirable.

A great number of gutter shield devices have been priorly proposed andseveral are presently marketed which are directed to solving thisproblem. One form of such shields is a screen or screen-like devicewherein water is directed into the gutter through a screen or pluralityof small openings aligned over the trough portion of the gutter and thelarger debris is prevented from entry into the gutter. However, if theopenings or screen become clogged, the proper function of the raingutter is compromised and rain water is directed beyond the gutter andonto the underlying ground surface.

The other form of device is a deflector wherein the forward end of theshield has a downwardly curved end. Water and debris pass over the topportion of the deflector and surface tension is relied upon to directwater around the curved end and into the gutter while leaves and thelike pass over the forward edge of the gutter to the ground below.

Many believe deflector devices are generally considered as moremaintenance free than screen type devices. However, to satisfactorilymeet commercial acceptance, deflector devices must be relatively simpleand inexpensive to manufacture and be relatively easy to install.

The more desirable construction and installation of such deflectordevices should apply as readily to new installations as well as to beretro-fit installations onto an existing gutter system. Further, theyshould be relatively maintenance free, particularly with regard to thepotential to attract any significant capture of leaves and other debrisbetween the opening formed between the curved forward end of thedeflector and the length of the front lip of the gutter. If debris iscaptured anywhere along this opening, it tends to interrupt the flow ofwater over the downwardly curved forward portion of the deflector shieldand forms a bridge or pathway for water to pass over the gutter and ontothe ground below. This, of course, compromises the intended performanceof the gutter system.

While the currently used and priorly proposed gutter deflector devicesprovide satisfactory results in varying degrees in certain of the aboverequirements, a need for an improved deflector apparatus which addressesall of the above-noted desirable qualities has eluded those skilled inthis art.

Some examples of prior art attempts to provide gutter deflector shieldsare represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,404,775; 4,796,390; 6,098,344;4,497,146; 4,796,390; and 5,557,891. The devices disclosed in the priorpatents address some of the problems noted above, however, each havecertain disadvantages which heretofore have remained unsolved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus for preventing debris,such as leaves and the like, from entering into rain gutters whilepermitting the water from the roof to enter the gutter and beappropriately directed to the gutter downspout as conventionallyintended.

The present invention is particularly directed to an improveddeflector-type shield apparatus for connection to an existing or newlyinstalled gutter system wherein rain water is directed over adeflector's top surface and a curved forward end prior to entering thegutter. Due to surface tension, water tends to cling to the downwardlycurved forward end of the deflector surface and is directed into thegutter while debris passes beyond the forward end of the gutter to fallto the ground below in the generally accepted and well-known manner.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus includes adeflector configuration constructed to cooperate with a flange-likeportion provided on a gutter support strap or hanger to allow simpleinstallation of several lengths of the deflector or shield portionsadjacent to one another to properly cover the length of the gutter andfix it against vertical separation from its position over the gutter.Such undesirable vertical separation can occur during high wind stormswherein an upward force is directed to the deflector shield which maycause a disconnection of the deflector or shield portion from itsintended functional position overlying the gutter.

As another aspect of the present invention, the downwardly curved endportion of the deflector which directs water into the gutter is mountedrelative to the gutter in a manner which forms a continuous open channelbetween the forward end of the deflector and the upper front lip of thegutter such that there are no obstructions upon which leaves or similardebris may be caught and form a pathway interrupting the intended flowof water into the gutter. In prior art devices, if this latter conditiondevelops, water flowing down the deflector surface tends to flow oversuch points of blockage and then beyond the front lip of the gutter,thereby compromising the intended performance of the gutter.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, verticallyextending flange portions on a bracket provided on the gutter supportstrap and the terminal end of a reverse curve forward portion of thedeflector are disposed in closely adjacent or abutting relationship andbolted or similarly fixed together to maintain the intended position ofthe deflector apparatus relative to the gutter.

In another preferred embodiment, the above-noted flanges comprise aconfiguration of opposing V or U-shaped portions which mate with oneanother in a horizontally slideably relationship along the length of thegutter, yet, limit vertical displacement between the deflector and thesupport strap to resist upwardly directed forces caused by high wind,for example, to maintain the deflector's position relative to thegutter.

When mated, these flanges permit limited relative slideable movement ofeach length of the deflector shield relative to the support strap andenhances the ease of installation of the deflector shield.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a gutter deflectormanufactured according to the present invention is relatively simple indesign to allow for inexpensive manufacture employing common, well-knownmaterials and is substantially maintenance free relative to requiringmanually cleaning debris out of the gutter trough which tends to clogthe gutter system and disrupt its intended function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational sectional view of a gutter deflectorapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention shownattached to a gutter conventionally mounted to a building structure, thesection being taken in a vertical place along the length of the gutter;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a portion of a conventionalgutter and the gutter deflector apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating amodified embodiment of the gutter deflector apparatus of the presentinvention shown attached to a conventional gutter.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which isillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted tofor the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the inventionbe limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understoodthat each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operatein a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, theword connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are notlimited to direct connection, but include connection through otherelements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent bythose skilled in the art unless otherwise specifically defined herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred gutter deflector apparatus, indicated generally at 20,constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1 mounted to a conventional gutter 22 of a building 24 having aslanted roof 26 covered with conventional shingles 28.

The deflector shield portion, indicated generally at 30, includes a rearportion 32 which conventionally slides under the outermost layer ofshingles 28, a central portion 34 which extends outwardly to a point ina vertical plane over at least a portion of the forward lip 42 of gutter22, and a front portion 36 provided with a reverse curve section 38which terminates in an upwardly facing generally U or V-shaped opening40.

If deemed necessary, central portion 34 may be provided with ribs, orcurved sections, or other features which have the function to attenuateor modify the flow of water over the deflector surface to reduce anytendency for the flow of water to overcome surface tension. The latteris relied up to cause the flow of water to follow the downwardly curvedsurface of the most forward portion or nose 36 and reverse curve section38 and fall within the confines of the trough 27 of gutter 22 formedbetween a front gutter wall 23 and a rear gutter wall 25. Such waterflow attenuation means are well-known to those of ordinary skill in theart, such as for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,390;4,497,146 and 5,557,891.

Forming a part of the gutter deflector apparatus is a modified guttersupport strap or hanger, indicated generally at 46.

The general construction of a preferred form of support strap 46represents a conventional, well-known type including a main body portion50 provided with a planar upper surface 52, a curved or L-shaped forwardend 54 which is configured to fit under a conventional channel formedunder the front lip 42 of gutter 22, and a vertically upstanding rearportion 56. Rear portion 56 may preferably include a U-shaped 180 degreeband which conventionally fits over rear wall 25 of gutter 22 as seen inFIG. 1, such that opposing ends of support strap 46 are disposed inengagement with the front wall 23 and rear wall 25.

In the more preferred construction, gutter support strap 46 may includea conventionally shaped fastener bracket, such as 60, which is fixed toupper surface 52 and includes a ferrule-like opening 62 for receiving ascrew-type or nail fastener 58 to attach and provide enhanced supportfor maintaining the mounted position of gutter 22 to building sidewall24. However, in accordance with the present invention, support strap 46may simply be conventionally directed fixed to gutter 22 and buildingsidewall 24 via a conventional screw, rivet, or nail fastener or thelike extended through rear portion 56 and into the sidewall 24, withoutusing a ferrule or ferrule bracket, such as 60, without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention. The latter form of connection tobuilding sidewall 24 represents a less preferred embodiment.

In accordance with the present invention, gutter support strap 46 ismodified by the addition of a deflector shield mounting bracket 70comprising an L-shaped body provided with a horizontal leg 72 fixed to aforward position of the upper surface 52 of support strap 46 via aconventional fastening means, such as a screw or rivet 75, and avertical leg 74 terminating in a downwardly curved portion 76 forming aninverted or downwardly facing U or V-shaped flange forming opening 78between portions 74 and 76. Alternatively, leg 72 may be fixed tosurface 52 via any other suitable means known to those skilled in theart. For example, mounting bracket 70 may be formed integral with body50 if deemed desirable.

As best seen in FIG. 1, bracket 70 is positioned forwardly upon surface52 so that an upwardly directed leg 41 forming part of a U or V-shapedflange in the terminal end of portion 38 having an upwardly facing openchannel 40 may be mated within the channel 78. This mating prevents anysignificant vertical displacement of deflector shield 30 relative tosupport strap 46 and gutter 22 while allowing limited relative slideablemovement in a horizontal direction to engage or disengage deflectorshield 30 from mounting bracket 70. For installation purposes, it shouldbe readily understood to one skilled in this art that sections ofdeflector shield 30 of a given convenient length may be positioned alongthe length dimension of gutter 22 and allow limited slideable movementto abut or overlap one another as deemed necessary to enhance quick andfacile positioning of the respective lengths of deflector shield 30 overgutter 22 without requiring highly skilled labor or special tools. Itshould also be pointed out that the upwardly leg 41 may have a shorterlength than shown in FIG. 1, which would allow it to be pushed under leg76 and to snap into the channel or opening 78 and still provide theslideable feature described above herein.

It should be noted that installation of the deflector shield apparatususing the modified gutter support strap 46 is equally applicable to newor retro-fit installations. In retro-fit installations, modified guttersupport straps 46 are simply positioned between the existing supportstraps or ferrule and fastener combinations to permit installation inthe manner described herein. In new installations, the modified guttersupport strap 46 would be used in a conventional array spaced toappropriately hang the gutter 22. Then the deflector shield would bemounted in sections as described herein.

It should also be noted that rear portion 32 of deflector shield 30 mayalso be disposed over the outermost row of shingles 28, using suitablefasteners fixed to the underlying roof. However, some persons skilled inthe art consider this method less preferable than slideably disposingrear end portion 32 under the first or outermost row of shingles 28.

Now referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The difference between the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and2 relates to the particular configuration of a modified mounting bracket70-A and a modified terminal flanged end of reversed curved portion 38-Aof deflector shield 30. In reference to FIG. 3, the unchanged portionsof the apparatus illustrated relative to FIGS. 1 and 2 are noted by thesame reference numerals used in these figures and the portions which aremodified use the same reference numerals followed by the letter “A”. Anynew structure is referenced by a new reference numeral not previouslyused.

Since the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is essentially the same as thatshown in the preceding Figures, the description of FIG. 3 is limited tothose modified portions as described below for purposes of brevity andis adequate for one of ordinary skill to understand how to make and usethe present invention.

Support strap 46-A is modified with respect to a deflector shieldmounting bracket 70-A comprising an L-shaped body provided with ahorizontal leg 72-A fixed to a forward of the upper surface 52 of thesupport strap 46-A via conventional fastening means such as a screw orrivet 75, and a vertical extending leg 74-A in a similar manner as thefirst described embodiment.

A downwardly extending terminal end portion 39 of portion 38 ofdeflector shield 30 forms a flange which is configured and disposedclosely adjacent and parallel to leg 74-A such that each may beconventionally fixed to one another, such as, for example, by aconventional rivet, bolt or screw 77. In this manner deflector shield 30may be quickly and easily affixed in appropriate relationship to gutter22 via support strap 46-A to accomplish the same function and purpose asthe embodiment described and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

From the foregoing description, one of ordinary skill in this art shouldreadily understand the relative ease of manufacture of the deflectorshield 30 and modified support strap 46 as well as the ease ofinstallation as shown in the Figs. and described herein. In addition, itshould also be pointed out that a further important benefit of theconstruction of the present invention provides not only a secure andfacile mounting of the deflector shield 30 to the gutter 22 but furtherprovides a continuous, open space or channel between the most forwardlydisposed nosed portion 36 of deflector shield 30 and front lip 42 ofgutter 22 along the entire length of the gutter. Therefore there is nointerruption or obstruction in this space wherein the rain water flowsinto the gutter, wherein leaves and similar debris may become caught andform discrete pathways allowing water to flow over and beyond the frontlip of the gutter rather than into the trough portion.

In view of the above description, it should be readily understood thatthe present invention provides the combination of simple manufacture,ease of a reliable and secure installation, with the highly desirableflow directing characteristics which has eluded those skilled in theprior art.

While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modificationsmay be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention orscope of the following claims.

1. A deflector shield assembly adapted for attachment between the outeredge of a sloping roof and an underlying length of a conventional raingutter to allow water flowing off the roof to enter the rain gutterwhile deflecting leaf and miscellaneous debris to the ground comprising,in combination; a main body of a substantially rigid sheet materialincluding (a) a generally planar rear portion configured to be mountedunder an outermost row of shingles carried by said sloping roof, (b) acentral portion extending in a downward slope over an underlying raingutter, (c) a forward portion provided with a generally downwardlycurved outer segment having its most forward extent disposed in a planeabove and overlying an outer lip of said underlying gutter and includinga rearwardly extending reverse curved portion disposed over a troughportion of said rain gutter and inwardly of said outer lip, saidrearwardly extending reverse curved portion provided with a downwardlyturned flange and (d) a gutter support member including a base memberhaving opposing ends mounted between a rear and forward wall of saidrain gutter and connected to a vertical wall of the structure supportingsaid roof, said base member including a vertically extending mountingflange spaced rearwardly of the outer lip of said rain gutter andconnected to said downturned flange of said forward portion to inhibitvertical movement of said forward portion of said deflector shieldrelative to said rain gutter.
 2. In combination a rain gutter supportstrap and a gutter shield adapted to be affixed between the forward edgeof a sloping roof and to an underling gutter having a trough forreceiving rain water, said trough defined between a front and rear wallof said gutter, said support strap including a generally planar rigidstrip having horizontally opposed ends in force-transmitting engagementbetween said front and rear walls of said gutter, a fastener extendingthrough a first vertically extending, rearwardly disposed bracket fixedto said strap and the rear wall of said gutter and connected to anoutside wall of a structure supporting said sloping roof, said stripincluding a vertically extending inverted V or U-shaped flange having aforwardly facing opening disposed near, but spaced from said front wallof said gutter; a debris shield comprising an integrally formed, rigid,sheet material having a predetermined length and width and including arearward generally planar portion configured to be fixedly received inparallel extending relationship to a forwardly disposed row of shinglesconventionally disposed on said roof, a central portion extendingoutward over said trough of said gutter, and a forward portion includinga generally reverse curved section having its most forwardly disposedextent in vertical spaced relationship over at least a portion of anouter lip of said front wall of said rain gutter and its rearwardlydisposed extent terminating in an upwardly facing V or U-shape flangedisposed in slideably mated relationship with the downwardly facing V orU-shaped flange of said support strap to limit vertical movement of saiddebris shield relative to said gutter.